Annabelle Comes Home

Having lived in Connecticut for many years, I spent time with “ghost-hunters” Lorraine and Ed Warren and saw Annabelle in her glass case in their home/museum. Both have since died, but the spooky, fictionalized tales of their paranormal investigations continue. Set in 1968, this installment finds supernaturalists Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) receiving creepy Annabelle from two frightened nurses who claim that the demon inside the malevolent doll is trying to possess a human soul. As they cautiously transport Annabelle home, their car breaks down near Maryville Cemetery, where Annabelle, perched in the back seat, apparently rouses the dead from their graves. Clairvoyant Lorraine believes that Annabelle is a conduit or beacon for other spirits, as Ed is almost run down by a semi-trailer. When the Warrens arrive at their split-level house, Annabelle is ensconced in their artifacts room, along with evil objects like the toy monkey, spirit bell, and haunted samurai armor. A priest sprinkling holy water while reciting a protective blessing apparently immobilizes Annabelle until the arrival of an unexpected visitor. Preparing a 10th birthday celebration for the Warrens’ daughter Judy (McKenna Grace), Daniela (Katie Sarife)—a friend of their teenage babysitter Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman)—sneaks into the artifacts room, hoping to achieve a spiritual re-connection with her recently deceased dad. Ignoring the “Warning! Positively Do Not Open” sign, she releases Annabelle’s demonic power to animate a knife-wielding bride, a grim reaper, and other ghoulish things. Screenwriter Gary Dauberman makes his directing debut, creating a predictably tense atmosphere with the usual creaking doors and jump scares in this somewhat tired franchise entry. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include “The Werewolf” behind-the-scenes featurette (3 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are deleted scenes (12 min.), the production featurettes “The Artifact Room and the Occult” (5 min.), “The Light and the Love” (5 min.), “The Ferryman/Demon” (5 min.), and “The Bloody Bride” (3 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package—on the Blu-ray release—for an unremarkable horror flick.] (S. Granger)